Is there an anti-LCD/pro-Eink bias on MobileRead?

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

When the prices of e-ink devices drop (as they must!), more people will get both. An e-ink device for dedicated reading and a LCD/OLED/PixelQ device for general useage which can also be used for reading.

Or... not. There are still plenty of people out there who don't see the need for two devices that do the same thing, and so will bypass dedicated readers in favor of all-in-one devices.

Of course, display tech will likely improve with e-ink (color) and LCD (power), making both of them more versatile, and allowing people to choose one or the other for the same tasks, as they prefer... which is as it should be. And we may still see a new display tech come along and blow both of them out of the water, so what difference does it make in the long run?

I will say that I've never felt belittled for my choice of device (PDA). People 'round these parts can find plenty of other things to pick on me about, that they can afford to ignore that one...

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

There is an aphorism that applies here:

If you say something enough times, it doesn't matter whether it's true; it _becomes_ the truth.

I've read here on MR any number of statements about the many reasons why it is impossible to read on LCDs. This was on its way to becoming an accepted truth here on MR (if it hasn't happened already).

This might not bother you, but it concerns me.

Generally, for every instance where someone claims it's impossible to read on LCDs, someone else steps right up and says "au contraire, mes amis."

(Don't worry, Nate, we got your back.)

[demoric]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

the manufacturer quotes temperature range for proper operation and if you exceed this range you can expect problems at both ends of the extreme. It has nothing to do with sunlight per se.

Dale

Yeah it was extreme usage like I had mentioned. It probably is temperature related because it was 100 degrees Fahrenheit and in direct sunlight. Also, I dredged up an operations temperatures thread https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31585 .

[Stensie4JC]

I have wondered this myself. I hear again and again the eink is easier on the eyes and better in bright sunlight. I've never had eye problems reading on LCD, and I very rarely read in bright sunlight. When I decided to buy an ereader I looked for an LCD device but there are just not that many out there. I think that's why there seems to be a bias. I believe the Sony with the touch screen also is backlit, but the resolution is poorer and it bothered me.

[mtravellerh]

Originally Posted by Stensie4JC

I have wondered this myself. I hear again and again the eink is easier on the eyes and better in bright sunlight. I've never had eye problems reading on LCD, and I very rarely read in bright sunlight. When I decided to buy an ereader I looked for an LCD device but there are just not that many out there. I think that's why there seems to be a bias. I believe the Sony with the touch screen also is backlit, but the resolution is poorer and it bothered me.

The Sony 700 is not really backlit. Actually, there are LEDs mounted between the proper screen and the display.

I never had problems reading on my iPhone outside, btw! Reading in plain sunlight is not good for your health, anyway!

[Stensie4JC]

Good to know that about the 700. My husband has an iPhone and I couldn't stand to have one myself. I agree about reading in the sun, I love to read, but if I'm going to be out in the sun I am usually doing something sunny.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Stensie4JC

I believe the Sony with the touch screen also is backlit, but the resolution is poorer and it bothered me.

eInk screens are opaque, and hence cannot be backlit. The Sony PRS-700 has side-lighting for reading at night. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "the resolution is poorer". The resolution of what is poorer than what?

[Stensie4JC]

"Resolution" is probably the wrong word. Looking at the Sony that had the side-lighting, I felt like the type was not as crisp the other model. It would have driven me nuts.

[Lemurion]

Originally Posted by Stensie4JC

"Resolution" is probably the wrong word. Looking at the Sony that had the side-lighting, I felt like the type was not as crisp the other model. It would have driven me nuts.

It's the touchscreen. There's a layer over the eink screen itself that provides the touch functionality. Unfortunately the display loses a lot of crispness because of it.

It's one reason I bought the 505.

[voidIndigo]

Originally Posted by netseeker

Nobody said that CRTs would be better than LCDs. But if you have to use LCDs the whole day and you have sensitive eyes than it *can* cause eyestrain. (I know it because it happens to me every now and then)

I read somewhere that when people use computers, they tend to blink a lot less, which dries the eyes' surface (I don't know how to translate "córnea") and causes irritation, like sand in the eye.

This used to happen to me quite a lot (I work all day in front of 2 screens, and LOVE to play games at home), but then I learned to pause every now and then, blink a lot, stare in the distance, etc. and never had a problem anymore.

About the LCD-eInk discussion, having one of each type, I must say that I use both in very distinc situations: my PRS-505 during the day, mostly because it's light and handy, and the REB 1200 at night (in bed, the backlight is a must have!) or when color is desirable (magazines, graphics, photos, comics).

But IMHO, the eInk IS the future. I don't see an LCD device coming close to the autonomy of an eInk.

What I would like was a color eInk reader! Shipped worldwide! At affordable prices! Wi-fi wouldn't hurt. And note-taking. Handwriting recognition. Multi-dictionary support. And that burned fat. (Now, THAT would be a feature!!)

Damn! I want one of those Star Trek (TNG) thingies!

[Stensie4JC]

Originally Posted by voidIndigo

I don't know how to translate "córnea"

And that burned fat. (Now, THAT would be a feature!!)

I am pretty sure co'rnea (sorry, don't know how to do special characters) translated is cornea. I've never studied Portuguese, but this happens all the time between Spanish and English, and I hate looking up a word in Spanish just to find out it's basically the same as the English.

And yes, I am all about the fat-burning feature!

[Hellmark]

Originally Posted by voidIndigo

I read somewhere that when people use computers, they tend to blink a lot less, which dries the eyes' surface (I don't know how to translate "córnea") and causes irritation, like sand in the eye.

Just so you know "córnea" is "cornea". Both languages shamelessly steal the word, as well as many other medical terms, from latin.

For me, I know when reading on my N800, unless I look away a lot (like if I am reading while at work), I start having trouble focusing until I give my eyes a rest for a bit. I am under the understanding (based on my brother the med student), that this is due to the backlighting. Usually people don't stare at light sources.

[doreenjoy]

Staring at light sources gives me migraines. No LCDs for me (I even have to limit my computer time, and the LCD is turned down very low)

[LDBoblo]

I generally disdain staring at backlit screens when their light output is incongruous to the surrounding environment. A bright backlight that improves apparent contrast and color saturation often far exceeds what ambient light would otherwise dictate.

However, if the backlight is handled well, I don't find it particularly uncomfortable.

I got an e-ink device for a few reasons:
a) on my EEE PC, I find myself easily drawn to other tasks like email or productivity things. With a dedicated book reader, I can envelop myself more in the reading.

b) EEE PC is too slow to boot up. I have gotten it pretty optimized, but from startup through login is usually 15 seconds. Then I need to navigate to my requisite files or software. My Sony is in standby most of the time with pretty instant switch on, right back to the book I was in. Battery life on my EEE can't guarantee that if I'm reading it periodically over a few days.

c) EEE PC is not really good for ebook interfacing and reading in portrait orientation. It's a bit bulky and navigation isn't wonderful when the book is turned to portrait.

However, I am pretty dissatisfied with e-ink as well, since the text quality is pretty poor overall (in bright conditions, it looks like someone printed on toilet paper with an ink jet printer...feathered edges with poor contrast. I have been looking at UMPC tablets and such that would give me a much better reading experience, with better quality displays. Perhaps not as good as print, but not as pathetic as e-ink.

Pixel Qi looks promising, if a bit low in contrast. It would be interesting to see up close how text shows. If clarity can be had over that of e-ink, I'd abandon the Sony in a heartbeat I think, despite the other inconveniences.

[carld]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

Pixel Qi looks promising, if a bit low in contrast. It would be interesting to see up close how text shows. If clarity can be had over that of e-ink, I'd abandon the Sony in a heartbeat I think, despite the other inconveniences.

I haven't seen the new Pixel Qi screens up close yet, but I have seen side-by-side comparisons between the older OLPC system and e-ink readers, and I thought the XO (I think it's called) had a clearer display.